Milwaukee Preservation Alliance Mayoral Primary Candidate Survey Responses

MILWAUKEE — In advance of the February 15 primary, Milwaukee Preservation Alliance (MPA) sent all mayoral candidates listed as “Certified for Ballot Placement” by the City of Milwaukee Election Commission a survey with five questions to better understand their perspectives on historic preservation topics including 1) favorite historic places; 2) historic preservation, equity, and sustainability; 3) balancing historic preservation and new development; 4) preservation regulations; 5) the future of the Mitchell Park Domes. The answers provided below represent the unedited responses from those candidates who submitted responses to the survey as of February 8. The candidates not included in the below responses have not returned answers to MPA. MPA will reach out to candidates on the April 5 ballot again prior to the election to provide candidates the opportunity to update or submit new responses.

Candidate responses can also be found on the MPA website at https://www.milwaukeepreservationalliance.org/mayoral-candidate-survey.html.

QUESTION 1
What is your favorite historic site, building, or neighborhood in Milwaukee, and what is your personal connection to it? How would you foresee your role in preserving Milwaukee’s older buildings, characteristic neighborhoods, and other important historic resources that make up a vital part of our city’s culture, economy, tourism, and perception as a world-class city?

Cavalier Johnson: One key memory as an older child is going east on Locust Street, up the huge hill just east of Dr MLK Jr Drive, and realizing there’s a whole world east of there, from the river, to the UWM campus, to Lake Michigan, and on to downtown. My father always said, “get off the block.” My own favorite place Bay View High School, where my father went before me.

We have a tremendous history in Milwaukee, both good and bad, and many stories of perseverance and struggle. All of that history, from our Indigenous ancestors to the German brewers to the Polish flats to the Black factory workers to the Mexican migrants, all of it is part of our story. I will continue to be a partner to the Preservation Alliance in maintaining our history and building our new stories.

Earnell Lucas: The Third Ward is my favorite historic neighborhood and to this day remains one of my favorite parts of the city to explore and walk about. What once was nothing more than warehouses is now an economic and cultural hub for Milwaukeeans and tourists alike to enjoy. I believe that Milwaukee can become a strong world-class city and preserving our history is one of the keys to showcasing what we have to offer. I will be an advocate for preservation efforts and ensuring that Milwaukee’s future growth does not threaten our history.

Michael Sampson: My favorite historical site in Milwaukee is Maders restaurant on MLK in the Old World Third Street entertainment district. As an event planner that produces Milwaukee Oktoberfest, I appreciate the German history and great food that Maders has brought to Milwaukee for over 119 years. Their schnitzel sandwich accompanied by a Spaten is a common lunch for me.

We are nothing without our history. City Hall was once one of the tallest buildings in the world. We need to remind people of these things as we continue to develop around our historical venues all over our city. I will continue to protect and work with the Historical society and any other business who are also history buffs like myself.

Favorite Statue – Milwaukee Carnival on Wisconsin Ave

Favorite Neighborhood – Concordia. The houses are beautiful.

QUESTION 2
Preservation of the existing built environment can help promote equity, sustainability, and affordable housing, all of which are critical issues for Milwaukee. If elected, what specific efforts would you make to promote and incorporate the reuse of existing buildings into the city’s health and equity goals as well as its sustainability programs and policies?

Cavalier Johnson: Reuse is critically important and we must think about how in creating housing for our soon-to-be growing population we think about mitigating our climate impact. In every case, if we can repurpose and reuse buildings we should do so.

Earnell Lucas: I believe that Milwaukee’s economic development must be equitable across all of our city and touch every neighborhood. We have seen a concentration of benefits being focused on downtown while many communities remain behind. I will do all I can to reuse existing infrastructure and buildings and encourage their use for affordable housing and to extend our development efforts. The Bronzeville neighborhood is a great example. I see an opportunity to enhance development to bring more businesses, housing, and entertainment options to that area. This will showcase our history and allow us to leverage the newfound national exposure of that important area of our city.

Michael Sampson: Reusing buildings is crucial to Milwaukee’s development. We need to be using our old schools to house new schools or other businesses. The city needs money and taxes to survive. I’d like to see the city owned properties go to low income families of the city. Stability is what a lot of families lack so we need to make sure lower income families are being made aware of the city’s housing options and that they are not being scooped up by out of state investors and slumlords.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­QUESTION 3
Historic preservation can also be a tool for economic development and urban vitality. If elected, how do you foresee the role of preservation of older and historic buildings and sites within the city playing out in the development and economic plans for the city as it grows? How would you balance new development with historic preservation?

Cavalier Johnson: I think the question answers itself – we need a balance. We need to preserve our history while at the same time creating a vibrant city that attracts new residents, commerce, and activity. By blending old and new we can build on our strengths.

Earnell Lucas: Some of the greatest cities in the world have skylines that are mixed with new and historic development. One of the best examples we see here in Milwaukee is City Hall facing the new BMO tower. I encourage new development across the board, so long as it does not threaten or inhibit existing facilities or the long-term health of historic structures. Historic buildings are the cornerstone of vibrant urban life.

Michael Sampson: You need to find a balance of both. There are some historical buildings that just can’t be saved. There are also buildings sitting vacant that need love. Look at the amazing job the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra just did with a vacant Warner theater. Those are the kind of projects that I love seeing and will gladly get behind. I am a movie buff and there are a ton of old theaters in the city that could use some love.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­QUESTION 4
If elected, what would you do to strengthen Milwaukee’s historic preservation regulations to ensure continued protection for Milwaukee’s vital historic buildings, sites, and places?

Cavalier Johnson: I’m open to your suggestions for how we need to ‘strengthen’ historic time preservation. There are a number of rules already in place and if you feel that we need more, I would consider those in the coming months and years.

Earnell Lucas: Milwaukee has a rich history and I am a believer in preserving buildings and sites that carry history with them for generations to see and enjoy. I am open to discussing strengthening historic preservation regulations and working with the Milwaukee Common Council to do what we can. And, as mayor, I will appoint citizens to the Historic Preservation Commission who share my vision for our city.

Michael Sampson: Fight to keep them all in place. I have not seen any issues or problems with the regulations over the years so it sounds like you all are doing a great job!

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­QUESTION 5
Efforts have been underway for many years to determine the future of the Mitchell Park Domes. What role do you think the City could play in determining a long term plan for the Domes? What factors are most important to consider when thinking about the future of the Domes?

Cavalier Johnson: I love the Domes, but the Domes are county property, in a county park, so our role is almost entirely advisory. There are significant concerns about the long-term sustainability of the Domes due to their design and construction. Any decision about their future must take into account the short- and long-term cost. We need a great Conservancy and great Botanical Gardens, and I hope the County finds a path forward to maintain that history at Mitchell Park.

Earnell Lucas: As Milwaukee County Sheriff, I understand very well the need for better partnerships and coordination between Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee. I believe the city should play an active role in doing whatever it takes to preserve and improve the Domes. They are not only a historic landmark, but also an important cultural attraction. We must do what we can to address the deferred maintenance and make structural improvements.

Michael Sampson: I think the city and the county need to work together in a lot of these pieces. We need to ask ourselves, are there venues, buildings or land that would make more sense for the city to own for the county and vice versa. Both the City and the County need money so putting more of an effort into our community partners to help give back to important projects like the domes is crucial.

About the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, Inc.

Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting stewardship and awareness of the historic, cultural, and economic value of Milwaukee’s built heritage. MPA aims to strengthen Milwaukee’s neighborhoods by advocating for and promoting their unique cultural spaces and architectural assets in order to foster a strong and vibrant community as well as demonstrating the link between historic preservation and viable economic development.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.